Notable events involving Tromp include:

The wartime history of HrMs Tromp as given on this page was recontructed taking information from her logbooks and reports found at the Dutch National Archives at The Hague and reports found at the British National Archives at Kew, London.

10 Sep 1939HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived at Sabang, Dutch East Indies. After fuelling she daparted later the same day for Batavia via Emmahaven making a neutrality patrol along the west coast of Sumatra. (1)

12 Sep 1939HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived at Emmahaven (Padang), Sumatra, Dutch East Indies where she inspected the German merchant ships Franken (7789 GRT, built 1926) and Soneck (2191 GRT, built 1938) that had taken refuge there. (1)

15 Dec 1940HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived at Ambon, Moluccas. She departed later the same day for Mapia Island (Pulau Mapia), north of New Guinea. (3)

18 Dec 1940HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived off Mapia Island (Pulau Mapia), north of New Guinea. There she made rendez-vous with the Dutch merchant vessel Madoera (9360 GRT, built 1922) which she was to escort to 00°00'N, 165°00'E. (3)

23 Dec 1940At 1643 hours, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), parted company with the vessel she had been escorting, the Dutch merchant vessel Madoera, near position 00°00'N, 165°00'E. (3)

At 1330 hours the Dutch liner Marnix van St. Aldegonde (19355 GRT, built 1930) and the Dutch merchant Zaandam (10909 GRT, built 1938) joined the convoy.

Around 2130 hours the last two ships joined the convoy in position 00°51'N, 131°06'E. These were the Dutch merchant vessels Polyphemus (6671 GRT, built 1930) and Tabinta (8156 GRT, built 1930). (3)

14 Jan 1941The Dutch merchant ship Bloemfontein departed the convoy, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), is escorting. She had an acute shortage of drinking water as the progress of the convoy was slower then expected due to engine problems of the merchant vessel Mapia which had already broken down twice halting the entire convoy. (4)

15 Jan 1941The convoy, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), is escorting is dissolved. The merchant vessel Zaandam left the convoy at 1700 hours, the Marnix van St. Aldegonde at 2000 hours, the Tabinta at 2100 hours and the last two ships of the convoy, Polyphemus and Mapia left at 0200/16. (4)

19 Jan 1941HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) made rendes-vous with naval tanker TAN 2 (former mechant tanker Juno, 2345 GRT, built 1912) at position 04°16'S, 152°27'E in the northern end of the St. George's Channel near Rabaul where she was fuelled. Tromp also took on board a sick crew member from the TAN 2. (4)

26 Jan 1941HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) arrived off Ambon where a sick crew member from the TAN 2 was landed. She then departed for Surabaya, Java. (4)

4 Jun 1941HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN) departed Cairns with three Dutch merchant vessels she was to escort to position 22.00'S, 180.00'E. The merchant vessels were Japara (9365 GRT, built 1939), Noesa Niwi (6737 GRT, built 1936, former German Wuppertal taken on 10 May 1940 at Padang) and Tosari (7057 GRT, built 1919). (4)

26 Jun 1941At daybreak, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.W. Termijtelen, RNN), disbanded the convoy she was escorting and proceeded to Brisbane where she arrived later the same day and was fuelled yet again by the Dutch naval tanker TAN 4. (4)

12 Nov 1941HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Batavia to patrol in the Sunda Strait. This was done to prevent the Vichy-French from transporting rubber for the Germans from Indo-China to France. Their ships were now mostly in convoy when they passed the Sunda Strait and some 'fire power' was needed to bolster the Sunda Strait patrol.

For the daily positions during the period of 12 November 1941 to 1 December 1941, see the map below.

25 Nov 1941In the early morning hours, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN), is ordered to proceed to Batavia for fuel and stores and then to proceed into the Indian Ocean along the route to Fremantle, Australia to search for the missing Australian light cruiser HMAS Sydney.

She departed Batavia later the same day for the Indian Ocean. (5)

27 Nov 1941After dawn, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN), had launched her aircraft for a search. When the aircraft returned it was damaged while landing in the rough seas. It was taken on board but was beyond repair by the ships crew. (5)

For the daily positions during the period of 2 December 1941 to 9 December 1941, see the map below.

(5)

8 Dec 1941HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) is on patrol to the north of Stait Karimata when she received a signal that war had broken out with Japan. Course was then set to return to Surabaya. (5)

For the daily positions during the period of 9 December 1941 to 23 December 1941, see the map below.

(6)

10 Dec 1941HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) was fuelled by the Dutch naval tanker TAN 8 (2770 GRT, built 1927, former merchant tanker Petronella) north of Pulau Panjang in the northern end of the Lombok Strait. (6)

Ater fuelling from naval tanker TAN 2, HrMs Tromp, together with HrMS Banckert, while HrMS Piet Hein had already gone ahead, proceeded at high speed towards the Java Sea as a Japanese aircraft carrier was reported in the Java Sea. Early the next morning a signal was received that the report was false (The carrier was in fact an American merchant vessel with two tugs). Course was then reversed to return to Strait Sape. (6)

13 Dec 1941HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the two destroyers were ordered to return to Surabaya. (6)

14 Dec 1941HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) was ordered to return to Surabaya where she arrived later the same day. (6)

Course was then set for the Kumai Bay, south Borneo where the ships anchored late on this day and all Commending Officers went to the flagship for a breefing. With the breefing over the ships departed Kumai Bay at 0830/16 for Strait Karimata. (6)

7 Jan 1942After having released convoy BM 9B at 2000/5 HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN), HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) returned to the Sunda Strait, passed it and proceeded on a sweep into the Indian Ocean towards Pulau Enggano. After reaching Enggano around 0700 hours on this day course was reversed to return towards the Sunda Strait. (6)

8 Jan 1942HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN), HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) put into the Keizersbay (near Lampung), southern Sumatra where they were fuelled by the naval tanker TAN 8 (2770 GRT, built 1927, former merchant tanker Petronella). Later the same day the task force departed for the Indian Ocean. (6)

27 Jan 1942While en-route to Batavia (Jakarta), Java from Pladjoe (Pladju, Palembang, Sumatra), HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and the destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) are ordered, at 0330 hours, to proceed at high speed towards a position 60 nautical miles to the north-west of Strait Karimata as a convoy of 16 Japanese ships is reported to be heading south in that direction. HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN), who is also in the area is also ordered to proceed to that position.

At 1430 hours this order is cancelled and Tromp and her two escorting destroyers are ordered to proceed to Surabaya, Java. (6)

3 Feb 1942After a short maintenance period, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN), departed Surabaya for Strait Madoera around 1300 hours. At 1835 hours she dropped anchor north of Gili Raja Island (Pulau Gili Raja) near HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN). Cdr. de Meester then went aboard the flagship for a conferance with the Squadron Commander Rear-Admiral Doorman with the Commanding Officers of all ships present.

For the daily positions during the period of 3 February 1942 to 8 February 1942, see the map below.

At 0500 hours they made rendes-vous with the US heavy cruiser USS Houston (Capt. A.H. Rooks, USN), the US light cruiser USS Marblehead (Capt. A.G. Robinson, USN) and their escorting destroyers USS Stewart (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Smith, USN), USS John D. Edwards (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Eccles, USN), USS Barker (Lt.Cdr. A.J. Miller, USN) and USS Bulmer (Lt.Cdr. D.A. Harris, USN). These American ships had also been anchored the north of of Gili Raja Island (Pulau Gili Raja) but had left a little earlier then the Dutch ships. The mission of the joint Dutch-US task force was a 'hit and run' raid into Strait Makassar.

Around 0955 hours the task force came under air attack in the by the Japanese in the Bali Sea in approximate position 07°28'S, 115°37'E and USS Houston and USS Marblehead were damaged. Houston was hit on the roof of her rear 8" gun turret heavily damaging it and it could not be repaired. (When USS Houston sank about four weeks later she still had only two operational 8" gun turrets). USS Marblehead was hit twice and also straddled and received serious damage resulting in that she had to be sent to the USA for repairs. The raid into Makassar Stait was now cancelled.

USS Houston had been sent towards Tjilatjap (Cilacap) on the south coast of Java for repairs. USS Tromp was later ordered to give her protection during her passage there and proceeded after her. She caught up with her to the south of Atlas Stait and both ships then proceeded in company until 0000/5 when Tromp left USS Houston again and proceeded to re-join the task force as ordered which she did at 1325/5 when she made rendes-vous with HrMs De Ruyter and the three Dutch destroyers. (6)

Around 2130 hours the US destroyers USS Edsall and USS Alden were detached and sent to Tjilatjap. (6)

11 Feb 1942At 1800 hours, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN), arrived at the Prigi Bay on the south coast of Java where she was fuelled by TAN 8 (2770 GRT, built 1927, former merchant tanker Petronella). (6)

12 Feb 1942At 0200 hours, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN), departed the Prigi Bay on the south coast of Java. Outside the bay she waited for HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) which had also fuelled there. While leaving the bay De Ruyter collided with the US destroyer USS Whipple (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Karpe, USN) (or it was the other way round, Whipple colliding with De Ruyter, depending on what sources one reads, Dutch or American, sic.).

Both cruisers then continued their passage towards the Sunda Strait unescorted. (6)

13 Feb 1942Around 1400 hours HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) and HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) arrive in the Sunda Stait which was then entered and passed northbound. Course was then set towards the Gaspar Staits.

At 1830 hours they were joined by the third Dutch cruiser in the Dutch East Indies, HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN). As by now there were still no destroyers with the cruisers for an intended hit and run raid northwards the cruisers turned around and headed for Oosthaven (Bandar Lampung), Sumatra. (6)

15 Feb 1942Around 0315 hours the Allied task force entered the Stolze Strait (to the east of Mendanau Island (Pulau Mendanau). The task force was clear of the strait around 0800 hours but not before the Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Ghent (Lt.Cdr. P. Schotel, RNN) had hit a reef resulting in the loss of this vessel. The Dutch destroyer HrMs Banckert (Lt.Cdr. L.J. Goslings, RNN) remained behind to render assistance to her stranded sister but it was soon apparent that the ship was beyond salvage. Several valuable items of the equipment were however taken off and by 1700 hours the wreck of the Van Ghent was destroyed by the Banckert. The Banckert now made off for Surabaya with the crew of the Van Ghent on board.

Meanwhile around 1150 hours the first Japanese air attack on the remainder of the Allied task force started. The attacks, which came in five waves, lasted until about 1745 hours. No major damage was done to the Allied ships which had reversed course shortly after 1300 hours. Only the US destroyers USS Barker and USS Bulmer required repairs to their badly shaken up machinery spaces.

The task force was then split up with the De Ruyter, Tromp, Exeter, Hobart and the US destroyers Barker and Bulmer proceeding to Batavia to refuel. The Java and the remaining US destroyers proceeded to the Ratai Bay to refuel and the two remaining Dutch destroyers to Oosthaven to do the same. (6)

It was expected that the Japanese would soon land (night of 19/20 February 1942) on the south-east coast of Bali (Badoeng Strait). Rear-Admiral Doorman therefore wanted to attack them in three waves. The first wave came from Tjilatjap on the south coast of Java and consisted of the Dutch light cruisers HrMs De Ruyter (Cdr. E.E.B. Lacomblé, RNN and flagship of Rear-Admiral K.W.F.M. Doorman, RNN) and HrMs Java (Capt. P.B.M van Straelen, RNN), escorted by the Dutch destroyers HrMs Piet Hein (Lt.Cdr. J.M.L.I. Chompff, RNN) and HrMs Kortenaer (Lt.Cdr. A. Kroese, RNN) as well as the US destroyers USS John D. Ford (Lt.Cdr. J.E. Cooper, USN) and USS Pope (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Blinn, USN). However while leaving Tjilatjap in the evening of the 18th the Dutch destroyer Kortenaer grounded and was only able to get of at high tide therefore was no longer part of this force.

The second wave was made up of the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) and four US destroyers; USS Stewart (Lt.Cdr. H.P. Smith, USN), USS Parrott (Lt.Cdr. J.N. Hughes, USN), USS Pillsbury (Lt.Cdr. H.C. Pound, USN) and USS John D. Edwards (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Eccles, USN). They sailed from Surabaya in the afternoon of the 19th

Finally the third wave was made up of the Dutch Motor Torpedo Boats; HrMs TM-4 (Lt. J.E. Gobée, RNN), HrMs TM-5 (S.Lt. E.J. Hoeksel, RNN), HrMs TM-6 (S.Lt. P. van Rees, RNN), HrMs TM-8 (Lt. J.G. Treffers, RNN), HrMs TM-9 (Lt. J.A. van Beusekom, RNN), HrMs TM-10 (S.Lt. J.W. Boon, RNN(R)), HrMs TM-11 (S.Lt. A.A.F. Schmitz, RNN), HrMs TM-15 (Lt. H.C. Jorissen, RNN). HrMs TM-13 (?) was also part of this force but acted as 'rescue boat'. Shortly after their sailing from Surabaya in the evening of the 18th HrMs TM-6 was forced to return due to engine trouble. These Motor Torpedo Boats proceeded through Strait Bali and anchored in three bay's on the Java side to refuel which took the whole day. In the evening of the 19th they departed for Badoeng Strait.

The Japanese attack on Bali was carried out by two transport ships Sasako Maru (7180 GRT, built 1941) and Sagami Maru (7189 GRT, built 1940). They had on board part of the Imperial Japanese Army’s 48th Infantry Division and had departed Makassar for Bali during the night of 17/18 February. They were escorted by four destroyers; Asashio (Lt.Cdr. G. Yoshii), Oshio (Cdr. K. Kikkawa) Arashio (Cdr. H. Kuboki) and Michishio (Lt.Cdr. M. Ogura). Distant cover was provided by the light cruiser Nagara (Capt T. Naoi, flagship of Rear-Admiral K. Kubo) escorted by three destroyers Hatsushimo (Lt.Cdr. S. Kohama), Nenohi (Lt.Cdr. T. Chihagi) and Wakaba (Lt.Cdr. M. Kuroki).

The Japanese landed around 0200/19 on the south coast of Bali. The transports were attacked unsuccessfully by the American submarine USS Seawolf. Seawolf herself was then counter attacked with depth charges by the destroyers but managed to escape.

During the day the Japanese transports were attacked from the air and the Sagami Maru was damaged. She left the landing zone escorted by the destroyers Arashio and Michishio. The undamaged Sasako Maru remained in the landing zone to pick up the landing barges. The destroyers Asashio and Oshio remained with her.

The allied first attack wave arrived south of Bali around 2130/19. A line was then formed in the order, HrMs De Ruyter, HrMs Java, HrMs Piet Hein, USS John D. Ford and finally USS Pope. Speed was increaded to 27 knots and they proceeded up Badoeng Strait. Around 2230 hours HrMs De Ruyter and HrMs Java opened fire on the Japanese which were taken by surprise. The Asashio turned a searchlight on which was quickly taken out by a salvo from the Java. The Dutch cruisers claimed heavy damage on the enemy but according to Japanese reports on the battle damage was only minor and after being initially taken by surprise the Japanese soon counter attacked. By that time however the Dutch cruisers had moved on.

The Allied destroyers were further behind the cruisers then intended and now arrived on the scene. Piet Hein was a little ahead of the US destroyers and opened fire with her 4.7” guns and also fired two torpedoes. Shortly afterwards two more torpedoes were fired but none found their intended target. Piet Hein then turned around towards the US destroyers with the intention to attack the Japanese again. While doing so her smoke generator was started. It is not completely clear but it is possible that one of these US destroyers then engaged Piet Hein with gunfire thinking she was Japanese. It is also possible that it were the Japanese that engaged Piet Hein. At this time Piet Hein was hit several times, resulting in her to come to a stop. After about 15 minutes Piet Hein was illuminated by a Japanese searchlight and taken under fire. The crew was ordered to abandon the doomed destroyer and she soon sank.

USS John D. Ford and Pope sighted a Japanese transport vessel (this must have been the Sasaga Maru) and what they thought to be a Japanese cruiser but this must have been the destroyer Oshio. They launched torpedoes (Ford – three, Pope - five) and turned away. Asashio and Oshio when went after them. The Americans thought they faced a very powerful enemy, even heavy cruisers were thought to be present. Both destroyers then retired to the south-east to return to Tjilatjap. Shortly afterwards they heard gunfire. This gunfire was coming from both Japanese destroyer that were now engaging each other by mistake. After a few minutes the mistake was noticed and both Japanese destroyer retired up the Strait to the north.

Meanwhile the Allied second attack wave was nearing the scene of the action. They had arrived south of Bali around 0100/20. The four US destroyers were ahead of the Tromp. It was intended that the four US destroyer would enter Badoeng Strait and attack with torpedoes first and that the Tromp would come behind them to finish off the Japanese after the confusion of the torpedo attack. During the torpedo attack a total of fifteen torpedoes were fired, six each by USS Stewart and USS Pope and three by USS Pillsbury. Their targets, Asashio and Oshio were not hit and both Japanese destroyers now went after their attackers. Stewart was then hit with gunfire. The US destroyers then set course to the east to leave Badoeng Strait. Now Tromp went in. Soon she was illuminated by a searchlight and the Japanese opened fire. Thy obtained eleven hits on the Tromp causing heavy damage to the Dutch cruiser. The Oshio on her turn was seriously damaged by the Tromp. The action was over around 0215/20 and Tromp retired from the Strait to the north-east. When north of Bali she went to full speed and returned to Surabaya for repairs.

Japanese Rear-Admiral Kubo, on board the Nagara, had meanwhile ordered the Arashio and Michishio to return to Badoeng Strait (Nagara and her three escorting destroyers were too far off). When the two Japanese destroyers entered the Strait they encountered the four US destroyers. Both sides launched torpedoes but all missed their intended targets and then a gunfight was started. During this gunfight the Michishio was heavily damaged and in the end she had to be towed back to Makassar. The US destroyer meanwhile continued to retire from the area.

The third wave then entered the Strait. The Dutch MTB’s had seen the second wave attacking but when they entered Badoeng Strait the Japanese were not sighted and they left without being able to fire torpedoes.

The Allies were at that time under the impression that they had obtained a victory. They thought to have sunk a Japanese cruiser and have damaged two more cruisers and two destroyers. This was not the case, one Japanese destroyer was heavily damaged and one seriously. In return the Japanese sank a Dutch destroyer and damaged the Dutch cruiser Tromp heavily. As the Dutch naval base at Surabaya was now under daily air attack it was deemed wise to sent the Tromp to Australia for repairs.

20 Feb 1942HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Surabaya for repairs. She had suffered 10 dead and 30 wounded (including her Commanding Officer) during the action in Badoeng Strait. (6)

17 May 1942HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Sydney for sea. She was ordered to perform an A/S search off Sydney together with the brand new Australian destroyer HMAS Arunta (Cdr. J.C. Morrow, DSO, RAN) and the US destroyer USS Perkins (Lt.Cdr. W.C. Ford, USN).

The previous day the Russian freighter Uelen (5106 GRT, built 1913) was attacked to the north of Sydney by the Japanese submarine I-29.

All three Allied ships returned to Sydney later the same day having found no enemy submarine. (5)

For the daily positions during the period of 25 May 1942 to 31 May 1942, see the map below.

(5)

28 May 1942At 0830 hours, HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) released the Dutch merchant vessel Swartenhondt (4661 GRT, built 1924) which she had been escorting northwards from Sydney.

Tromp then reversed course to return to Sydney. (5)

31 May 1942HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Sydney. After fuelling she departed for yet another convoy mission.

Convoy ZK 9 was to be escorted northwards. This convoy was made up of the following merchant vessels; American Robert Gray (7176 GRT, built 1942) (joined off Melbourne on 2 June), Stephen A. Douglas (7176 GRT, built 1942) (joined off Melbourne on 2 June), Australian Katoomba (9424 GRT, built 1913), Ormiston (5815 GRT, built 1922) and Dutch Japara (3323, built 1930) (joined off Melbourne on 2 June). Besides Tromp they were escorted by the US destroyer USS Selfridge (Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN) and the Australian sloop HMAS Warrego (Lt.Cdr. A.H. Green, RAN).

For the daily positions during the period of 31 May 1942 to 7 June 1942, see the map below.

(5)

4 Jun 1942HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN), the American destroyer USS Selfridge (Cdr. C.D. Reynolds, USN), the American merchant Stephen A. Douglas (7176 GRT, built 1942), the Australian merchant Stephen A. Douglas (7176 GRT, built 1942) and the Dutch Japara (3323, built 1930) split off from the convoy off Rockhampton and proceeded towards that harbour.

After fuelling Tromp and Selfridge departed for Sydney later the same day.

7 Jun 1942HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Sydney where she went to the Cockatoo Island Dockyard for repairs. (5)

2 Aug 1942HrMs Tromp (Cdr. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle for a rendes-vous in the Indian Ocean with the British passenger (troops) / cargo ship Stirling Castle (25550 GRT, built 1936) to take over the escort from the British light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN).

For the daily positions during the period of 2 August 1942 to 10 August 1942, see the map below.

23 Aug 1942HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) made a short A/S patrol off Fremantle. Possibly the US submarine USS Gar (Cdr. D. McGregor, USN) was briefly escorted part of the way south to Albany. Tromp returned to Fremantle later the same day. (7)

1 Sep 1942HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to bolster the escort of convoy US 16 that was coming from Sydney. This convoy was made up of the British liner (troopship) Devonshire (11275 GRT, built 1939), passenger (troops) / cargo ships Rajula (8478 GRT, built 1926) and Aronda (8328 GRT, built 1941), their escort, if any, is currently unknown to us.

5 Jan 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to briefly escort the British liner (troopship) Ile de France (43548 GRT, built 1927, former French) when she was on passage near Fremantle. Tromp returned to Fremantle the following day.

HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) departed Fremantle with Tromp and Ile de France but she was to remain with the troopship until position 05°00'N, 79°00'E. HMAS Adelaide was back in Fremantle on the 13th. (7)

For the daily positions during the period of 15 January 1943 to 18 January 1943, see the map below.

(7)

16 Jan 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) relaesed the Australian passerger / cargo ship Reynella (9780 GRT, built 1926, former Italian Remo). She then was to make rendes-vous with the Australian passerger / cargo ship Reynella (9780 GRT, built 1926, former Italian Remo) but this ship failed to show up at the rendes-vous and Tromp eventually set course to return to Fremantle. (7)

2 Feb 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to make rendes-vous with the British aircraft transport HMS Athene (T/A/Cdr. C.H. Moulton, RNR) in estimated position 33°52'S, 109°23'E in the afternoon of the following day and then to escort that vessel to Fremantle.

For the daily positions during the period of 2 February 1943 to 8 February 1943, see the map below.

7 Feb 1943At 1840 hours, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN), made rendes-vous with the British liner (troopship) Mauretania (35738, built 1939) to escort her to Fremantle. Later that evening the were joined by the Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNN). (7)

10 Feb 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle escorting the British liner (troopship) Mauretania (35738, built 1939). The escort was further made up of the Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNN) and the Australian light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN). Both Dutch ships were to escort the Mauretania until dark this day. HMAS Adelaide was to remain with the Mauretania until near longtitude 100°E. (7)

This convoy, made up of the British liners (troopships) Queen Mary (81235 GRT, built 1936), Aquitania (45647 GRT, built 1914), Ile de France (43548 GRT, built 1927, former French), the Dutch liner (troopship) Nieuw Amsterdam (36287 GRT, built 1938) and the British auxiliary cruiser Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt. (retired) the Hon. Sir A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) (22575 GRT, built 1933) were transporting 30000 men of the Australian 9th Division from Suez to Melbourne and Sydney.

Around 2130 hours on 17 February 1943 the Dutch destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN) joined the convoy in approximate position 30°30'S, 112°52'E.

In the afternoon of the 18th the convoy arrived off Fremantle.

In the evening of the 20th the convoy departed Fremantle now escorted by the Australian light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN), the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Jacob van Heemskerck (Capt. E.J. van Holthe, RNN) and the Dutch destroyers HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNN) and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN). Tromp and Van Galen only remained with the convoy for a short period.

Around 1615 hours on the 24th the convoy was joined by the Australian (Capt. H.B. Farncomb, MVO, DSO, RAN) heavy cruiser HMAS Australia and the US destroyers USS Henley (Lt.Cdr. E.K. van Swearingen, USN) and USS Bagley (Lt.Cdr. T.E. Chambers, USN). The New Amsterdam escorted by HMAS Adelaide, HrMs Heemskerk and HrMs Tjerk Hiddes then departed the convoy and proceeded to Melbourne where they arrived arrived noon on the 25th. The other ships continued to Sydney.

In the afternoon of the 26th the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Heemskerck rejoined the convoy. Later in the afternoon the Free French destroyer Le Triomphant (Capt. P. Ortoli) also joined.

The convoy arrived at Sydney on the 27th.

For the daily positions during the period of 13 February 1943 to 23 February 1943, see the map below.

3 Mar 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle as escort for convoy OW 2 (Fremantle - Colombo) which was made up of the US cargo ship Mormacdove (6711 GRT, built 1942) and the British Armed Merchant Cruiser Queen of Bermuda (A/Capt. (retired) the Hon. Sir A.D. Cochrane, DSO, RN) (22575 GRT, built 1933). The British light cruiser HMS Gambia (Capt. M.J. Mansergh, CBE, RN) also sailed from Fremantle on this day to provide distant cover for this convoy.

Due to some missing pages in the ships log no map for the daily positions during the period of 3 March 1943 to 6 March 1943 can be displayed. (8)

8 Mar 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle as escort for convoy OW 5 (Fremantle - Colombo) which was made up of the American cargo ships Cape CharlesFairisle (6165 GRT, built 1942). Tromp escorted the convoy until dark the following day. (8)

23 Mar 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to briefly escort (until dark this day) the British liner (troopship) Ile de France (43548 GRT, built 1927, former French) when she was on passage near Fremantle. (8)

8 May 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to escort the Australian light cruiser HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) until dark this day and then to return to Fremantle. (8)

9 May 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Fremantle. (8)

15 May 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to escort the US Naval tanker USS Trinity (Cdr. W.W. Angerer, USN) on her way from Fremantle to the Persian Gulf until dark the following day. (8)

17 May 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Fremantle. (9)

23 May 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) returned to Fremantle. (9)

26 May 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to escort convoy US 19 which was made up of the Dutch liner (troopship) Nieuw Amsterdam (36287 GRT, built 1938) and the British liner (troopship) Dominion Monarch (27155 GRT, built 1939) until relieved by the British heavy cruiser HMS Sussex (Capt. W.Y.La R. Beverley, RN). When near Fremantle the Dutch destroyer HrMs Tjerk Hiddes (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Kruys, RNN) also escorted this convoy until longtitude 110°00'E.

For the daily positions during the period of 26 May 1943 to 2 June 1943, see the map below.

Later this day Tromp was ordered to make rendes-vous with the American cargo ship William M. Gwin (7176 GRT, built 1943) to take off a member of the armed guard that was stricken with appendicitis.

For the daily positions during the period of 24 June 1943 to 1 July 1943, see the map below.

(9)

25 Jun 1943At 1150 hours, in position 30°06'S, 108°13'E, HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN), made rendes-vous with the American cargo ship William M. Gwin (7176 GRT, built 1943) and took over a crewmember stricken with appendicitis. (9)

7 Jul 1943HrMs Tromp (Capt. J.B. de Meester, RNN) departed Fremantle to proceed at high speed towards position 27.29'S, 106.29'E where the American cargo ship American Manufacturer (6678 GRT, built 1941) reported being attacked by an enemy submarine. This alert was later cancelled and Tromp was recalled to Fremantle. (9)

They proceeded to the north-east to give the Japanese the impression that they were to preform a raid against the coast of Burma. A fake signal was sent to bolster this. Course was reversed the next day and exercises were then carried out during that day and the next days.

For the daily positions during the period of 10 February 1944 to 14 February 1944, see the map below.

These tankers were to refuel the ships from the Eastern Fleet that were to participate in operation Diplomat. During operation Diplomat the Eastern Fleet proceeded to the south-west of Cocos Island where the US aircraft carrier USS Saratoga (Capt. J.H. Cassady, USN) and the US destroyers USS Cummings (Cdr. P.D. Williams, USN), USS Dunlap (Cdr. C. Iverson, USN) and USS Fanning (Cdr. R.M. MacKinnon, USN).

Tanker Arndale had been detached after fuelling on the 25th escorted by HrMS Tjerk Hiddes which was suffering from defects.
The other two oilers were detached after fuelling on the 26th still escorted by HrMs Tromp.

For the daily positions during the period of 19 March 1944 to 2 April 1944, see the map below.

During the forenoon of the 17th the four 'N' class and two 'P' class destroyers of Force 69 were fuelled by HMS Newcastle, HMS Nigeria, HMS Ceylon, HMNZS Gambia. The three 'Q' class destroyers from Force 70 were fuelled by HMS Renown and HMS London.

On the 18th HMS Ceylon and HMNZS Gambia were transferred from Force 69 to Force 70 to bolster the latters AA defence. (On the 19th HMS Nigeria replaced HMS Ceylon in this force as HMS Ceylon had problems with one shaft and could only make 24 knots.) At sunset Force 70 was detached so as to arrive at the flying off position for the aircraft at 0530/19.

At 0530/19 the carriers launched 46 bombers and 37 fighters (17 Barracudas and 13 Corsairs from HMS Illustrious and 11 Avenges, 18 Dauntless and 24 Hellcats from USS Saratoga) to attack Sabang and nearby airfields. Besides that 12 fighters were launched to patrol overhead of both Task forces.

The enemy was taken completely by surprise and 24 Japanese aircraft were destroyed on the ground. Only 1 fighter, a Hellcat from the Saratogs, was lost on the Allied side and it's pilot was rescued out of the water by the British submarine HMS Tactician (Lt.Cdr. A.F. Collett, DSC, RN). All aircraft, except the one lost, had returned to the carriers by 0930 hours after which both task forces retired to the west. The Japanese tried to attack the Allied task force with three torpedo bombers but these were shot down by Allied fighter aircraft at 1010 hours.

At Sabang the Japanese merchants Kunitsu Maru (2722 GRT, built 1937) and Haruno Maru (775 GRT, built 1927, former Dutch Kidoel) were sunk by the Allied aircraft while the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka was damaged.

At 0800 hours on the 20th the fleet set course to return to Trincomalee. The cruisers and destroyer meanwhile carried out attack exercises.

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 16 April 1944 to 21 April 1944, see the map below.

Later the same day (actually until 0900/25) Tromp carried out exercises together with the British heavy cruiser HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), the British light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. S.H. Paton, RN) and the New Zealand light cruiser HMNZS Gambia (Capt. N.J.W. William-Powlett, DSC, RN). (10)

On 10 May 1944, the Dutch light cruiser Tromp and the destroyers were fuelled at sea by the capital ships and the cruisers. During fuelling from HMS Valiant the Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Galen sustained some minor damage (fractured hull plate on her port side) but the crew of the Van Galen was able to effect emergency repairs.

On 15 May 1944, task forces 65 and 66 were fuelled at Exmouth Gulf, Australia by Task Force 67 which was made up of of six Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers; Eaglesdale (8032 GRT, built 1942), Echodale (8150 GRT, built 1941), Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942), Arndale (8296 GRT, built 1937), Pearleaf (5911 GRT, built 1917), Appleleaf (5891 GRT, built 1917) and supplyship (used as distilling ship) Bacchus (3154 GRT, built 1936). This force had already left Trincomalee on 30 April and was escorted by the British heavy cruisers HMS London (Capt. R.V. Symonds-Tayler, DSC, RN), HMS Suffolk (Capt. A.S. Russell, DSO, RN). They had also been escorted near Ceylon by a local escort for A/S purposes, this local escort had been made up of the British destroyer HMS Rotherham, Dutch destroyer HrMs Van Galen and the British frigate HMS Findhorn (Lt.Cdr. J.C. Dawson, RD, RNR). The local escort returned to Ceylon on 5 May 1944. The two cruisers mentioned above now joined Task Force 66. Later this day Task Forces 65 and 66 went to sea again for the actual attack on Surabaya. On leaving Exmouth Gulf the fleet was spotted by the merhant vessel Aroona. This ship was now instructed to put into Exmouth Gulf and was held there by HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdale, OBE, RAN) for 24 hours and to impress on the master and crew of this vessel the necessity of not disclosing any information concerning the Fleet on the arrival of their ship at Fremantle (their next port of call).

In the early morning hours of the 17th the carriers launched 45 dive bombers and 40 fighters for an attack on the harbour and oil installations (Wonokromo oil refeniry) of Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies. (USS Saratoga: 12 Avengers (1 had to return with engine trouble shortly after being launched), 18 Dauntless, 24 Hellcats; HMS Illustrious: 18 Avengers (2 of which force landed in the sea shortly after being launched), 16 Corsairs). On the ground they destroyed 12 enemy aircraft (20 were claimed). The damage to the harbour and shipping were over estimated (10 ships were thought to have been hit) as in fact only the small transport ship Shinrei Maru (987 GRT, built 1918) was sunk and patrol vessel P 36, auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-107 and CHa-108, tanker Yosei Maru (2594 GRT, built 1928, former Dutch Josefina) and cargo ships Choka Maru (???? GRT, built ????) and Tencho Maru (2716 GRT, built 1919) were damaged.

On the 18th the US ships were released. The other ships then proceeded to Exmouth Gulf where they arrived to fuel the next day before starting on the return trip to Ceylon less destroyer HMAS Quiberon which was to refit in Australia and was sent to Fremantle.

On 23 May 1944, the Dutch light cruiser Tromp and the destroyers were fuelled at sea by the capital ships and the cruisers.

Task Force 65 and 66 arrived back at Trincomalee on the 27th.

During this operation several US Submarine guarded the passages to the Indian Ocean to spot a possible Japanese counter attack. The submarines deployed for this purpose were the following;
In the Sunda Strait from 12 to 23 May 1944; USS Angler (Cdr. R. I. Olsen, USN) and USS Gunnel (Cdr. J.S. McCain, Jr., USN).
South of Lombok Strait from 13 to 20 May 1944; USS Cabrilla (Cdr. W.C. Thompson, Jr., USN) and also the USS Bluefish (Cdr. C.M. Henderson, USN) from 13 May until the night of the 16th.
South of Bali Strait from 17 to 20 May; USS Bluefish.
North of Bali Strait; USS Puffer (Cdr. F.G. Selby, USN) during the night of 16/17 May.

The following US Submarines were deployed in the Surabaya area for air/sea rescue duties; USS Puffer in the Madura Strait about 40 miles to the east of Surabaya.
USS Rasher (Cdr. W.R. Laughton, USN) in the Java Sea about 40 miles to the north of Surabaya.

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 6 May 1944 to 27 May 1944, see the map below.

In between A/S exercises were carried out on the 29th with the British submarine HMS Telemachus (Cdr. W.D.A. King, DSO, DSC, RN) and the British destroyer HMS Rotherham (Capt. F.S.W. de Winton, RN). (15)

The British submarines HMS Templar () and HMS Tantalus () were deployed for air/sea rescue duties.

In the early hours of the 25th the carriers, HMS Illustrious and HMS Victorious, separated from the fleet under the escort of HMS Phoebe, HMS Roebuck and HMS Raider, and launched a total of 34 fighter aircraft to attack airfields in the area (18 Corsairs from HMS Illustrious and 16 Corsairs from HMS Victorious). One Corsair fighter was damaged by AA fire from the enemy and crashed into the sea, the pilot was picked up by HMS Nigeria. Five other Corsairs were damaged by AA fire but managed to return to the carriers. Two of these could be repaired on board, the other three were too badly damaged for effective repairs.

Then the Dutch cruiser HrMs Tromp entered Sabang Bay, her rightful waters, with the British destroyers HMS Quilliam, HMS Quality and the Australian destroyer HMAS Quickmatch. In all these four ships fired a total of 8 Torpedos and 208 - 6", 717 - 4.'7" and 668 x 4" shells. Japanese shore batteries obtained 4 hits on the Tromp while Quilliam and Quality were both hit once. The hit by what was thought to be a 3” shell on Quilliam caused minor structural damage but killed one petty officer and wounded four ratings. Quality was hit by what is thought to be a 5” shell which hit the tripod foremast and HA director. One war correspondent was killed and one officer and eight retings were wounded, some of them seriously. Tromp was hit by two 5” and two 3” shells but was lucky that none of these exploded !!!, she suffered only minor structural damage and no deaths or even wounded amongst her crew.

Later that day 13 fighters from the carriers intercepted a Japanese counter attack with 10 aircraft. 7 of these were shot down for no losses of their own.

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 22 July 1944 to 27 July 1944, see the map below.

On the 17th the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942 escorted by the Dutch light cruiser HrMs Tromp (A/Capt. F. Stam, RNN) had already gone to sea to be in a position to refuel ships from Force 64 on the 22th.

On the 24th the carriers launched aircraft to attack Padang. They claimed to have sunk a transport and to have damaged two more transports. (17)

An oiling force (Task Force 69), made up of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary tankers Olwen (6470 GRT, built 1917) and Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) escorted by the British destroyer HMS Paladin (Lt. H.R. Hewlett, RN) had departed Trinomalee on the 26th. HrMs Tromp and the destroyers were fuelled from this force on the 29th.

At dawn on the 30th air attacks were carried out against Car Nicobar followed by a bombardment of the airfields At 0600/30, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Cumberland opened fire on the southern and northern airfields respectively from a range of 18000 yards Both ships soon found the range and it was not possible for any aircraft to take off after the bombardment. HMS Suffolk and HMS Ceylon then bombarded enemy AA positions. Shortly after sunrise around 0700 hours the destroyers HMS Rotherham, HMS Nubian and HMS Verulam started to bombard the settlement of Malacca. Soon afterwards a large fire, thought to be petrol, was seen near the jetty and another on one the southern airfield. At 0710 hours cease fire was ordered and a fighter strike was then commenced. They dropped bombs on and then strafed the airfields. At 0735 hours, after the fighter strike was over, the battleshios HMS Queen Elizabeth and Richelieu opened fire to crater the runways. They continued to fire on the runways until 0805 and 0809 respectively. Capt. (D) 11th destroyer flotilla on board HMS Rotherham meanwhile reported that the jetty at Malacca had been severly damaged and that two steam coasters and five small vessels had been destroyed.

At 1530/30, Richelieu, HMS Cumberland and HMS Rotherham were sent ahead to bombard Port Blair while on a northerly course. At 1730 hours Richelieu opened fire on the southern airfield and Cumberland on a coastal battery. Both firings were spotted by Hellcat fighters from the escort carriers. Later HMS Rotherham also engaged coastal batteries but from a closer range. Around 1835 hours these ships completed their bombardment but then HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Suffolk, HrMs Tromp, HMS Tartar and HMS Penn took over. Queen Elizabeth engaged the airfields while Suffolk worked over the marine yards with the same aircraft that had spotted for Richelieu and Cumberland. The other three ships engaged shore batteries. By the time the bombardment ceased after about 40 minutes the airfields were well cratered and hits were obtained on a lot of other targets. After the bombardment HrMs Tromp reported that she had seven wounded, two seriously (they both died later) from two near misses, at least that was thought at that moment. Later investigation however showed that the explosion was caused by American manufactured defective ammunition and not by enemy fire. Both bombarding forces then retired to the south an re-joined the escort carriers which had provided them with fighter cover during their bombardments.

During the night all ships proceeded southwards so as to bombard Car Nicobar a second time at dawn. At 0720/1 HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Suffolk opened fire on their target. After cratering the northern airfield Queen Elizabeth shifted target to the southern airfield at 0741 hours and carried out yet another effective shoot. At 0755 hours both ships ceased fire. HMS Cumberland and HMS Ceylon then took over. The French battleship Richelieu however did not participate in the bombardment this time as she had already expended her ammunition allowance. Cumberland enganged targets at/near the northern airfield and HMS Ceylon did the same working over the southern airfield. HMS Tartar was sent ahead to bombard the jetty at and targets in the village of Malacca. At 0915 hours all ships were again in one force and course was set to the north to conduct another bombardment of Port Blair but this time approaching from the north.

At 0800/2 HMS Queen Elizabeth opened fire on the runways of the airports and HMS Suffolk on coastal batteries. Again considerable damage was done to the airports and also a large petrol fire was started at one of them. At 0845 hours Richelieu (firing 6” from her secondary armament at the marine jetty) and HMS Cumberland took over. HMS Rotherham was ordered to take out an AA battery that was firing at the spotter aircraft and in this she succeded.

In the afternoon a signal was received that the landing off Rangoon had been successful and without opposition. The force now retired to the north-east for her cover position during operation Dracula.

On 4 May rendes-vous was again made with the oiling force and all ships were fueled by the Olwen. HMS Penn then remained with the Olwen while HMS Paladin joined Task Force 64.

On 6 May bombardments and air strikes were again carried out in the Port Blair area. As of 0700/6 Empress started to launch fourteen Hellcats while Shah launched eight Avengers and four Hellcats. At 0800 hours, HMS Queen Elizabeth, HMS Suffolk, HrMs Tromp and HMS Paladin opened fire on AA and coastal batteries in the vicinity of Phoenix Harbour, Hopetown Island and Ross Island in order to neutralise these defences for the air strike. At 0814 hours the air strike leaded ordered cease fire and a few minutes later the aircraft started attacking shipping inside Port Blair harbour. One aircraft was hit by enemy AA fire and failed to return to it’s carrier. HMS Tartar made a search for it but was unable to locate the aircraft or it’s pilot.

At 1730/6 HMS Queen Elizabeth bombarded a 6” gun known to be at Stewart Sound. The bombardment was completed at 1809 hours. HMS Suffolk meanwhile bombarded a pillbox on Sound Island with her 4” armament and appeared to have set the target on fire.

On 7 May another air attack was made on Car Nicobar by the carriers with a total of 10 Hellcats. With this air attack over course was set to return to Trincomalee.

Task Force 63 returned to Trincomalee on 9 May.

For the daily positions of HrMs Tromp during the period of 27 April 1945 to 9 May 1945, see the map below.

The British destroyer HMS Verulam (Lt.Cdr. D.H.R. Bromley, DSC, RN) sailed at 1700 hours to overtake and then join the Task Force. She was joined by HMS Tartar (Capt. B. Jones, DSO and Bar, DSC, RN) as substitute for HMS Penn whose defects could not be repaired in time. Verulam and Tartar eventually joined the Task Force at 1505/11.

Most ships of the Task Force had only returned from the previous operation the day before and for instance HMS Queen Elizabeth had only 50% ammunition for her 15” guns on board. Also HMS Emperor and HMS Khedive were not fully fueled.

The same day the tanker Easedale (8032 GRT, built 1942) departed Trincomalee escorted by the British destroyer HMS Paladin (Lt. H.R. Hewlett, RN) (Force 70) to provide fuel for the smaller ships of Force 61.

At 1940/11 a fast attack force, made up of Richelieu, HMS Cumberland and the destroyer of the 26th Destroyer Flotilla; HMS Saumarez, HMS Venus, HMS Verlulam, HMS Viliglant and HMS Virago were ordered to proceed ahead to about 50 miles from the Task Force to be in a better position to intercept the reported Japanese heavy cruiser.

In the early afternoon of the 12th an air strike with four Hellcats was carried out against airfields on Car Nicobar Island. One Japanese aircraft was seen to go up in flames.

Also on the 12th submarine HMS Statesman reported that the Japanese cruiser and it's escort were returning to Singapore most likely to Force 61 being sighted the previous day by a Japanese aircraft.

During the 13th all destroyers of the Task Force fueled from HMS Emperor, HMS Hunter and HMS Shah. Besides that Task Force 62 was sent out from Trincomalee. This Task Force was made up of the British light cruiser HMS Nigeria (Capt. H.A. King, DSO, RN) and the British destroyers HMS Roebuck (Cdr. C.D. Bonham-Carter, RN), HMS Racehorse (Cdr. J.J. Casement, DSC, RN) and HMS Redoubt (Lt.Cdr. F.W.M. Carter, DSC, RN). HMS Rocket (Lt.Cdr. H.B. Acworth, OBE, RN), which was escorting a convoy, was ordered to leave her convoy and then join this Task Force. Also sailed was Task Force 67, made up of Royal Fleet Auxiliary oiler Olwen escorted by HMS Penn, which by now had completed repairs on her defects.

On the 14th HrMs Tromp was sent ahead to fuel from Task Force 70. Late in the evening the remainder of Task Force 61 arrived at the rendez-vous with Task Force 70.

On the 15th the enemy cruiser and destroyer were sighted by an aircraft from HMS Shah. They were again proceeding to the south-east. Shortly afterwards the enemy was also sighted by a patrolling Liberator aircraft which began shadowing the enemy. At 1500 hours three Avenger aircraft attacked the cruiser.

The 26th destroyer flottila, made up of HMS Saumarez, HMS Venus, HMS Verulam, HMS Vigilant and HMS Vigaro were ordered to intercept the enemy after dark. At 1500 hours they were 85 miles from the position of the enemy.

Around midnight the destroyers made radar contact on the cruiser. They then attacked from all directions with torpedoes. About eight hits were scored and the cruiser was sunk. During the attack HMS Saumarez was hit three times with 8" shells. Two ratings were killed on one boiler room was put out of action. The destroyers rejoined the task force at 1000/16. HMS Virago had only 17% fuel left, the other destroyers between that and 30%. HMS Virago and HMS Venus had to fuel from the escort carriers as they could not make it to the oiling force without doing so.

In the evening of the 16th the Task Force was attacked by Japanese aircraft. HMS Virago was near missed and suffered four ratings killed, five ratings severely wounded and thirteen other casualties. She was also listing slightly due to splinter damage.